Jan 01

30 Day Marketing Challenge – January 2013

You’re invited to participate in my 30 Day Marketing Challenge.

Here’s what you’ll receive:
*Online Marketing Training
*Mentoring and Accountibility
*Motivation and Inspiration

There is no charge to participate.

Click here for more details:
http://socialmediaoutcomes.com/challenge2/

My goal is to help you experience a breakthrough in your online marketing
this month.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that I will promote your business?

By participating in the challenge, you will earn the opportunity to receive increased visibility online and links back to your site!

Click here to sign up:
http://socialmediaoutcomes.com/challenge2/

Know someone else who would benefit from participating in this challenge and growing their business?

Please forward this email to them.

When you sign up for the Challenge, you will also receive a chance to earn one of 3 prizes.

The Top 3 Winners in the Challenge will receive a prize and additional recognition!

Click here to get started:
http://socialmediaoutcomes.com/challenge2/

Rick Cooper
Online Marketing and Social Media Trainer

Jan 01

Profit Solved – Clarify Your Small Business Objectives


Profit Solved – Clarify Your Small Business Objectives

Profit Solved – Clarify Your Small Business Objectives
By Don Osborne

Without clarity your profit picture will be too fuzzy to serve as an accurate guide to making more money in your small business. Sharpen your focus in these four areas to improve your bottom line.

Personal Reasons: Understand your personal reasons for successful small business ownership.

Most small businesses are started for personal reasons. Your motivation might come from a skill, hobby or passion. The tipping point is often an incident in your life. It might be the threat or reality of losing a job, need for extra income due to a child on the way, insufficient retirement funds or general frustration.

Many times your personal reasons for starting a business of your own are really, “more personal” – they have to do with who you are as a person, the need to have more control over your time and more options in your life.

The greater clarity you have about the “Why” behind your decision to start your small business the greater chance you will be focused and produce a higher level of profitability.

Business Goals: Clearly state your business goals regardless of your personal talents or skills.

You and your business are really two separate entities. You, as the person who owns the business, and the business itself. This is an important distinction because business must stand alone for several reasons.

You need to set goals for the business to achieve to be profitable. These goals are set based on the mission statement of the business rather than the capabilities of its owners. That would be too limiting. Also, for the business to be in the best position to be sold some day it must be capable of operating independently of its ownership.

Without a clear set of goals your business will lack focus and not be able to develop and implement a profitable business plan.

Active Lifestyle: Schedule activities for each lifestyle area: individual, family, spiritual, career, financial.

Small business ownership is generally all consuming. It gobbles up a huge amount of your time, at least mentally if not physically. If you set goals for each core area of your lifestyle you can maintain more balance and, as a consequence, be in a position to accomplish more in your business.

Use a simple system to select one or two goals for each lifestyle area including business ownership. Schedule time for each goal on a weekly basis. The amount of time allocated for each area or goal does not need to be equal. It just needs to be scheduled.

When your business clearly serves your lifestyle and is integrated into your daily life plan you free up time and energy to accomplish more and positively impact your profit potential.

Mandatory Time: Plan your use of time in 30 minute increments with an emphasis on mandatory items.

Time is money, particularly when it come to the business of making money. It has a equal if or greater value in one’s personal life. A month, week or day is too much time to plan with accuracy, but a 30 minute window is not.

Set long-term objectives to create direction. Set short objectives to set actions. Set blocks of 30 minutes to work on or complete actions. Reserve your 30 minute blocks of time for those actions which must done to complete key profit plans.

The technique of scheduling mandatory items within 30 minute blocks of time give you a clear picture of the steps you’re taking to optimize your profitability.

Today is the best time to bring your profit picture into focus and enjoy the benefits that come from clarifying your small business objectives.

As a small business owner you may be frustrated by a lack of profit and not sure where to start or what to do? Learn how to take 3 Easy Steps to “Profit Solved”. Visit http://www.profitpuzzle.com to sign up for a a simple way to identify, implement and integrate more Profit into your small business in 21 Days at No Charge to you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Osborne

http://EzineArticles.com/?Profit-Solved—Clarify-Your-Small-Business-Objectives&id=2219645


Jan 01

Establishing Your Expertise: How to Command Marketing Authority


Establishing Your Expertise: How to Command Marketing Authority

Establishing Your Expertise: How to Command Marketing Authority
By Roy Rasmussen

Establishing yourself as an expert in your market is one of the best ways to boost your business or land a better job. If you’re seeking a job, citing your expertise can set you apart from other applicants, get you more interviews, enhance your hiring appeal, and earn you a higher salary. If you’re promoting a business, expert authority can distinguish your brand from your competition, create more promotional opportunities, lend authority to your sales presentations, and enable you to command higher prices.

So how do you establish your expertise? Defining your brand, presenting your credentials, and promoting yourself are all components of an effective authority-building strategy. Here are seven steps to help you establish yourself as an expert in your field.

1. Define Your Brand

Establishing expertise effectively starts by projecting a clear branding theme. Your brand is the look and feel and focus that sets you or your company’s personality apart from your competition. Mickey Mouse gives Disney a different face than Bugs Bunny gives Warner Brothers. The Big Mac has a different flavor than the Whopper. An iPad gives users a different experience than a PC laptop.

Your brand is built from your market, your medium, and your message. Who is your target market? Describe their demographic, needs, beliefs, values, purchasing patterns, and other defining marketing characteristics.

What media are best for reaching them? Do they watch TV, listen to the radio, surf the Internet, read newspapers, study trade magazines, browse Kindle books?

What message will appeal to them? Which problems do they need solved? Which benefits will interest them? What words and images will connect with their hearts and minds?

Your brand should set you apart from your competitors. Your slogans and logos should emphasize what makes you different than other experts in your field. If you stress the same points as everyone else, you’ll blend in instead of standing out. Find something that makes you similar enough to attract the same audience, but different enough to stand out from the crowd. If everyone else on the block is selling burgers, sell pizzas or tacos. If everyone else is selling soft drinks, sell coffee.

2. Put Your Key Credentials First in Your PR

When expressing your brand in your publicity material, it’s important to stress your key credentials by putting them at the forefront of your message. For instance, if you’re writing a biographical sketch of yourself for a resume or website or book cover, you’ll want to list your most important credentials in your opening sentences. The same principle applies if you’re creating a corporate profile of your company or a description of a product or service. Lead with your strengths.

3. Assemble Your Resume

What kind of credentials contribute to an authoritative expert resume? Elements can include work history, life experiences, publications, speaking appearances, achievements, awards, hobbies, personal details, and photos. The first few items build credibility, while the last few items can add a personal touch that puts a face on your resume and makes you more memorable.

4. Build a Portfolio

Your resume will grab more attention if you convey it visually through an eye-catching portfolio. Samples of your writing or designs, photos and illustrations of you and your product or service, and videos can all enhance your portfolio. Try to collect at least three items that showcase your best selling features.

5. Collect Testimonials

Your credentials will be more persuasive if your praise comes from someone else and not just from you. Get in the habit of collecting testimonials from customers, business partners, and others who are in a position to witness to your skills and character. If you have regular sales, you can collect testimonials from past customers and set up a system to systematically elicit them from new ones. If you’re just starting off, you might consider giving away some free samples in order to gather your initial testimonials. If you can collect three, you’re off to a good start. More is better.

6. Establish a Blog as a Publicity Base

Communicating expertise to your audience requires a publicity campaign. One of the easiest ways to start getting cost-efficient publicity is to launch a blog and use that as a base for promotion. A blog gives you a platform for showcasing your credentials in a profile, and it also gives you a vehicle for publishing short articles and videos. You can then syndicate this content using other media such as Facebook, Twitter, forums, email lists, and other tools.

7. Network with Established Experts

One of the best ways to promote your blog and other publicity materials is to team up with other experts who are already established in your field or related but non-competitive fields. Established experts already have the customers you want and the communication networks in place to reach that audience. Tapping into these existing resources will build your business much faster than relying on your own publicity alone, and will also help you grow your own customer database faster. Reach out to other experts with guest blogs, cross-promotional campaigns, and joint venture offers that benefit both parties.

Roy Rasmussen is a freelance writer and marketing consultant who helps create promotional material for small businesses, professionals, and entrepreneurs. You can read more of his writing and promotional tips on the website Publishing for Publicity, named after his book of the same title (co-written with book designer Marian Hartsough and available on Amazon).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roy_Rasmussen

http://EzineArticles.com/?Establishing-Your-Expertise:-How-to-Command-Marketing-Authority&id=7378199


Jan 01

Writing Articles to Boost Your Online Presence


Writing Articles to Boost Your Online Presence

Writing Articles to Boost Your Online Presence
By Ely Delaney

So did you know that you can boost your search engine rank without even having your own web site? Obviously the best thing is to have a web site where your customers can go and learn about your company, find out how to contact you and even purchase your product right from your web site.

But some people are still a little scared of getting their company “on the internet” so we thought we would take about a way that you can kind of get your feet wet without having to jump into the pool head first.

The first thing you will need to do is write an article or paper about your industry.

Writing articles to promote your product or service is a great way to increase your sales. When you are writing to promote something you must first ask yourself several questions, so you don’t write an article and then have to figure out how you can relate it to your business.

Determine what you want to promote. How you want to promote it and then you can begin to write your article. The basics in writing the article are much the same, no matter how you plan to use it. It should be written to present the positive attributes of your product or service without being obvious or making it sound like a sales pitch.

Remember readers are looking for information because they want to learn something. If you provide them with good information they will be more likely to click on your link and see what else you have to offer.

A good way to write a popular article is to find a problem that the people in your target audience have and then provide them with an answer that will help them solve it.

People like to read things that offer solutions to problems and preferably ones that are not too hard. Articles that contain easy to follow steps work very well in just about any situation. For instance; Three Steps to Super Clean Windows or How to Stop a Leaky Faucet in Four Easy Steps.

Keep that in mind when you are deciding what to write your article about and you will have an easier time deciding one the topic.

Let’s talk about choosing the right title for your article.

Do not underestimate the power of a good title when it comes to getting your article read. The right title can help your article be picked by interested readers and published by newsletter owners.

Your title should be descriptive and catchy, It should make the reader want to know more about the content in it. The idea is to capture the readers attention with a casual glance and let them know what it is about at the same time.

This may sound a little tricky but with some practice and testing you will easily get the hang of it.

What should you include in your opening paragraph?

Your opening paragraph should not only introduce the reader to the subject but also give them a reason to continue reading. It should give them a brief overview of what they can expect to learn from the rest of the article.

Let them know what problem are you going to help them with. Assure them that you have a solution that will save them time, money or trouble. When you are writing your opening paragraph keep in mind that you have to give them a good reason to keep on reading or they may lose interest and look elsewhere.

Ely Delaney is the creator of “My Business Marketing Mentor”, a web site dedicated to giving small business the tools they need to market their businesses both online and offline. Each month new tactics are added that show business owners marketing ideas through video, articles, reports and audios.

To take advantage of YOUR $7.00 trial membership visit
http://www.mybusinessmarketingmentor.com today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ely_Delaney

http://EzineArticles.com/?Writing-Articles-to-Boost-Your-Online-Presence&id=1619104


Jul 11

30 Day Marketing Challenge Summary

I’m announced to announce the results from the 30 Day Marketing Challenge.

Here is a list of the people who participated and their efforts to write articles and blog posts:

Lynn Ruby

3 Easy Exercises to Sound Authoritative in Your Video or Audio (Blog Post)

Men Need Makeup . . . (Blog Post

The #1 Mistake made by Video Marketers (Blog Post)

3 Easy Exercises to Sound Authoritative in Your Video or Audio (Article)

The Number 1 Mistake Made by Video Marketers (Article)

3 Secret (Free!) Tools for Making Video Without a Camera (Blog Post)

Men Need Makeup (Article)

Exposed! 5 Myths of YouTube Success (Blog Post)

Exposed! 5 Myths of YouTube Success (Article)

Never Ever Start a Video This Way (Blog Post)

Never Ever Start a Video This Way (Article)

Yvonne A Jones

Is Traditional Advertising Working for Your Restaurant Business? (Blog Post)

How to Identify Customer Needs and Provide Solutions (Blog Post)

Are You Marketing On LinkedIn with Good Results? (Blog Post)

Are you managing your online reputation? Part 1 (Blog Post)

Customer Satisfaction Includes Business Inventory Control (Blog Post)

Are you managing your online reputation? Part 1 (Blog Post)

How to Grow Your Network On Social Media Each Day (Blog Post)

Online Reputation Management: Protect Your Business with Effective Monitoring Strategies (Article)

LinkedIn Announced Changes to Sharing with Twitter (Blog Post)

Karen Cannady

Chlorine Free Pool Systems – How do you disinfect the Water in your Swimming Pool? (Blog Post)

Swimming Pool Maintenance Options (Blog Post)

Is the Copper Ionizer Effective for Pools? (Blog Post)

Chlorine Free Pool System Ionization is Faster Acting and Longer Lasting than Chlorine (Blog Post)

Copper – Number One Amongst the Top Chlorine Alternatives for Swimming Pools (Blog Post)

Swimming Pool Ionization Systems – Positive and Negative Charge (Blog Post)

Chlorine Free Swimming Pool with Transition Metal Ionizer (Blog Post)

Deidra Miller

Three Things Entrepreneurs Can Do to Reduce Stress (Blog Post)

Three Tips to Help Keep Your Business Organized (Blog Post)

Free Enterpreneur Tools Blog Series #1 (Blog Post)

Great Idea for Your About Me Page (Blog Post)

Mashable Article: Google Shows How to Master SEO (Blog Post)

Jim Dickinson

Time to buy your Own Place in Seattle (Blog Post)

Ten Ways to Expand Your Seattle Home Purchasing Power (Blog Post)

Seattle Home Location Value Part 1 (Blog Post)

Seattle Real Estate Market Trends (Blog Post)

Eastside Real Estate Market Trends Report (Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland and Redmond, WA) (Blog Post)

Susan Joy Schleef

What you can learn from Southwest Airlines commercials (Blog Post)

Using Story Structure for Better Presentations (Blog Post)

Presentation Story Contest: July 1 – 31 (Blog Post)

Thomas Holthus

How to Create Multiple Streams of Income (Blog Post)

Jun 21

How To Effectively Use Business Cards to Knowledge Network Your Small Business


How To Effectively Use Business Cards to Knowledge Network Your Small Business

How To Effectively Use Business Cards to Knowledge Network Your Small Business
By Don Osborne

I admit I’m guilty of collecting lots of business cards and failing to tap into the expertise and experience of the people I’ve just met. It seems the act of small business networking often boils down to exchanging business cards. And, that’s where it begins and ends, card collecting, not business building via networking.

What’s on the Card?

If gathering business cards for the purpose of sending someone an email, giving them a call, sending a text or doing some social networking is your goal, then all you’re looking for is contact information. That may technically qualify as small business networking but it’s not “knowledge networking”.

To gain more business in today’s marketplace, it takes more than gathering cards and making contact. It takes connecting. So, what you’re looking for is more than information to insert into your contact management system. You’re looking to learn something about the business and it’s expertise and experience. Use the business card as a resource to do the research you’ll need to effective network with the person you’ve just met.

Who Needs the Card?

Well, maybe you do to solve a problem you’re experiencing in your own small business. Chances are you’ve exchanged business cards in the hope the person giving you the card needs your product or services in their business right now!

All in due time, but it may serve you better to learn enough about the business you now have a card for so you can pass it on to another small business owner who, in fact, has a problem they want to solve right now. Exchanging business cards at an event is the perfect starting point for building your own referral network.

Where is the Card?

The first challenge of an active business networker is location. Yes, where do you put the card so it doesn’t end up as part of that pile of cards you’ve collected and never contacted and, certainly never passed on to someone else who could benefit from it to solve a problem they have.

As fast as it possible, you need to get the basic information and how it can help another small business in front of others. Doing that makes the information available to yourself and others. There’s no reason you can’t do some quick research and feel comfortable posting the core information to the appropriate social media network. By getting the business card, I don’t mean the email address and cell phone number, in play everybody wins. Simply provide a quick comment about the person or business and the business area they provide expertise and experience in.

Card Problem Solved

The biggest problem many of us have with small business networking is not doing something with the business card we’ve collected and not gaining any new business as a result of the business card networking we’ve done.

The solution is found in networking the business expertise and experience embodied in the business card we’ve collected by passing it on to others. By doing so you eliminate the guilt of adding one more card to the pile on our desk without doing something with it.

Plus, let the person you exchanged your business card with know that you have passed it one and are actively networking them. The appreciation you gain from them over time will get you a lifetime of referrals as you expand your small business knowledge network.

You know how most people start a business without knowing much about business? Problem Solved! Knowledge Networking. Start, run and grow your business by knowledge networking with others to exchange expertise and experience. Use the Small Business Knowledge Network Powered by ProfitPuzzle.com to Learn & Do more business and list the products and services you have to offer: http://www.ProfitPuzzle.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Osborne

http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Effectively-Use-Business-Cards-to-Knowledge-Network-Your-Small-Business&id=6997521


Jun 03

30 Day Marketing Challenge Entries

Welcome members of the 30 Day Marketing Challenge!

Click here for more information about the 30 Day Marketing Challenge

Prizes:
*1st Place: Marketing Momentum Coaching Program ($695 Value)
*2nd Place: Social Media & Online Networking Mastery Program ($533 Value)
*3rd Place: WordPress Webinar Video ($99 Value)

How to Earn Points:
-You will receive 1 point for each new blog post to your site
-You will receive 1 point for each new article you submit to EzineArticles.com

How to submit an entry for a blog post in the Challenge:

1) Post new content to your blog

2) Copy the link to the blog post

3) Post a comment on this page with a link to your blog post. Put the website address in the URL field. In your comment, include your name and the title of your blog post.

How to submit an entry for an article in the Challenge:

1) Write a new article and submit it to EzineArticles.com

2) After the article is approved, copy the link to the web page

3) Post a comment on this page with a link to your article. Put the website address in the URL field. In your comment, include your name and the title of your article.

I will post links to all entries on my website and will send people to the page from email and social media.

The contest starts now, so start writing content!

Good luck!

Jun 03

30 Day Marketing Challenge

You’re invited to participate in my 30 Day Marketing Challenge.

Here’s what you’ll receive:
*Online Marketing Training
*Mentoring and Accountibility
*Motivation and Inspiration

There is no charge to participate.

Click here for more details:
http://socialmediaoutcomes.com/challenge/

My goal is to help you experience a breakthrough in your online marketing
this month.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that I will promote your business?

By participating in the challenge, you will earn the opportunity to receive increased visibility online and links back to your site!

Click here to sign up:
http://socialmediaoutcomes.com/challenge/

Know someone else who would benefit from participating in this challenge and growing their business?

Please forward this email to them.

When you sign up for the Challenge, you will also receive a chance to earn one of 3 prizes.

The Top 3 Winners in the Challenge will receive a prize and additional recognition!

Click here to get started:
http://socialmediaoutcomes.com/challenge/

Rick Cooper
Online Marketing and Social Media Trainer

Apr 13

7 Deadly Networking Mistakes to Avoid

Today’s business is all about relationships. Social Media is here to stay; you have to be seen on Facebook, you must tweet and retweet on Twitter, and your LinkedIn profile has to be top-notch, however the more we connect in the virtual world to more we have to remember our roots on Terra Firma. Routinely overlooked, the original social networking – face-to-face, is a crucial hi-touch strategy to build critical local business relationships that are crucial to your success.

In my observation of business owners, executives and sales people at numerous networking events over the years, I have recognized consistent networking mistakes that can kill your chances of acquiring any new business contacts. Avoid these seven deadly mistakes and you should quickly build your referral business in any economic conditions.

Mistake #1 – No plan, no goals… no results

Without a networking plan, you waste valuable resources; time, energy and money. You should know, before you enter an event, what you want to accomplish. Practice three questions that align with your services (the answers will reveal if there is a pain or problem). Set time limits on what you discuss. Picture positive results in your mind before you even enter the room.

Mistake #2 – Bad (or worse, no) elevator pitch

The first seven words that you speak when meeting a potential client, a.k.a. a prospect, may be the only chance you have with that person. An elevator pitch or 30-second commercial is meant to cause the prospect to say “tell me more”. Many networking novices try to cram as much company information as possible into their pitch. Keep it simple and you’ll strike more interest.

Mistake #3 – TMI or Too busy telling

As an old mentor said “If you’re too busy telling, you ain’t selling.” The primary goal of the networking event is to make a connection, not make a sale. Ask powerful questions to find out if there is a pain or need. If you make a friend you can present your solution later.

Mistake #4 – Talking to “Knowns”

Networking events present an opportunity to cold-call in a slightly warmer environment. Since many sales people hate cold calling, they end up talking to “known” friends instead of seeking “unknown” prospects. Make it a point to limit polite conversation with current referral partners to less than a minute.

Mistake #5 – Poor etiquette

Understanding how or when to join a group of individuals talking with each other is very important. Probably the biggest networking faux pas is barging in on a conversation. An introduction from a well respected business person is always the surest way. Always shake hands firmly, look directly into the eyes when speaking, and practice your table manners. If you are polite, respectful, up-beat, and ask appropriate questions you’ll be one of the most remembered persons at the event.

Mistake #6 – Not being present

Be interested instead of trying to be interesting. Many times networking attendees believe the goal is to hand out as many business cards as possible. In their haste to meet that next prospect, they are not present with the current prospect. Instead try to collect as many business cards with answers to your three core questions as possible. Practice asking your three questions and practice listening. The timing of your next question will always come from listing to the answer to the first (and it will make you look like a Pro).

Mistake #7 – Lack of (correct) follow-up

Attending networking event after event without correctly following up with your new contacts is literally worthless. And follow up, just like networking, is not a one-time event. The point of following up is to stand out in the prospect’s memory forever. Again, it’s not a moment of selling but of reminding them that you’re interested in them. If you want to stand head and shoulders above your competition don’t resort to the ubiquitous email. Cement your place in your newfound business contact by sending them a sincere handwritten “Nice to meet you” or “Thank you” greeting card telling them how much you appreciate them for taking the time to talk about their business.. Then keep in regular personal touch with them by sending them cards on a consistent basis. Turn the most missed opportunity in networking into a way to differentiate you from your competition.

Practice appreciation. Avoid these seven deadly business networking mistakes like the plague. Enhance your networking activities and reap even greater rewards in the upcoming New Year.

Todd Pillars is a Work from Home (new) Dad living in N.W. Ohio. After spending 16 years as a consultant to the I.T. Industry he now helps businesses owners and sales professionals get more prospects by implementing an “Appreciation and Referral Strategy”.

Bonus Mistake #8 Don’t wait to start your Appreciation Strategy. Start today and increase your referrals tomorrow.

Discover this simple business building system by watching “The Referral Movie”

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3289659

Apr 13

Mobile Notary Public Business Tips: Seven Keys to Success

A mobile notary public business is a great way to earn extra money without much training time or start-up investment. Anyone with a phone and reliable transportation can do it. You don’t need to have a degree or go back to school. However there are some things you do need to know to make a notary loan signing business successful. Here are some of the seven biggest keys to success:

1. Start with a good business plan

Set specific goals about things like how much you want to earn, how many hours a week you will have to work at what price to earn that much, and how many clients you will need to attract to work that many hours.

Plan how you will manage your day-to-day operations to reach your goals. How will you fit your mobile notary business into the rest of your schedule? What days of the week will you work? How many hours per day? How many hours per week will you spend for promotion? Will you work alone or will you need help with things like appointments, transportation, promotion, or bookkeeping?

Plan your marketing strategy. What services will you offer? What will you charge? Where will you find clients? How will you promote your services to them?

Plan your budget. What will you need to budget for travel expenses, equipment, and promotion? How much business will you have to do to turn a profit?

If you need help writing a business plan, you can find a free guide on the website of the US Small Business Administration.

2. Research your market

Who will pay for your mobile notary public services? Major markets include loan signing companies and other markets related to mortgage loans, like financial institutions, real estate agencies, title companies, and escrow companies; law firms and other legal-related markets, like jails and bail bonds offices; hospitals and other health care markets like convalescent homes and nursing homes; and marriage licensing services.

3. Focus your sales message

Your mobile notary business will stand out from other services in notary directories if you focus your sales message on what is unique about what you offer. You can create a unique selling point by specializing in a specific market, such as mortgage loans companies, law firms, nursing homes, or marriage licensing services. You can also offer extra services, like loan signing or reverse mortgage signing. Other things you can emphasize are your geographic range; rush services; or services at odd hours.

4. Budget regular time for promotion

To build your business to a point where you have a steady steam of clients, you will first need to lay a foundation by attracting new clients. After you get enough new clients, if you do a good job, you should start to get enough repeat business and referrals that you won’t need to do as much promotion, but you should still continue to do some to prevent inevitable business lulls. So when planning your weekly schedule, be sure to set aside at least a couple hours a week for promotion, especially when you’re first starting off.

5. Promote through multiple media

You stand the best chance of attracting new clients if you make use of the multiple promotional media available to you. The foundation of your promotional efforts will be word-of-mouth marketing through family and friends and networking with businesses related to your target market. You can build on this foundation by passing out promotional literature like business cards and flyers; setting up a website and listing in online notary directories; making phone calls to businesses in your target market; and sending direct mail.

6. Cultivate repeat business and referrals

Your best promotional tool is good customer service, which will bring you repeat business from your existing clients and referrals from your existing clients to new clients. The more repeat business and referrals you get, the less time you will have to spend on promotion, and the more time you can spend earning money. Cultivate repeat business and referrals by delivering excellent customer service, seeking clients who have regular notary needs, asking your clients to refer you to others, and offering incentives like discounts for repeat business and commissions for referrals.

7. Automate scheduling, billing, and payment collection

Simple but costly mistakes can hold your notary business back. Things like missed phone calls, forgotten appointments, and failing to collect unpaid bills can eat into your profits. You can help avoid these mistakes by using automated tools to help you manage phone calls, schedule appointments, send out bills, and follow up on unpaid bills. Mobile notary software can help you perform all these tasks right from your phone.
If you put each of these points into practice, you’ll have a solid foundation for a successful mobile notary public business.

 

Roy Rasmussen is a marketing and writing consultant who contributes mobile notary public tips to NotaryCRM

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5298141